As They Say "It's in Your DNA"

I found Gattaca's premise to be very interesting, and a little bit unsettling. Most of the other utopias we've read about seem to be based on a mixture of soft science and, in the case of 1984, over the top evil. There's very little of either here. The unseen higher ups who have imposed the strictest genetic standards to any hopefuls that wish to apply to Gattaca Aerospace Corporation have real, relatable motives. They want good employees, and the best return on their investments. They don't want an employee who's going to suddenly descend into depression, or die when their heart stops in space. It's all very reasonable.

But, “reasonable” and “right” are two very different things. One of the reasons why is shown right in the beginning of the movie. When Vincent is born, and his blood is analyzed, a machine rattles off all the different things he is genetically predisposed to. It can only predict. The machine cannot say “This boy WILL have manic depression, he WILL have ADHD, he WILL have myopia.” It also gives a life expectancy, but it cannot say “This boy WILL die after exactly 30 years of life.” It can only predict.

Picture is not particularly related. These two are just very attractive.

If you have the genes for blue eyes and brown hair, you will have blue eyes and brown hair. It's simple. Mental disorders are trickier. Environment often plays a crucial part in deciding who's afflicted and who's not. Let's say, for example, that Vince has around a six percent chance of developing schizophrenia. That chance will be affected by his early living environment, and whether he uses drugs or alcohol.

In another example, lets say that Vince has Huntington's disease. Currently, he is asymptomatic. The symptoms of Huntington's disease usually begin between 35 and 44 years of age. Eventually, Vince's muscles will begin to degrade, and he will be subject to increasingly severe psychotic episodes. Does that mean that Gattaca Aerospace Corporation is justified in not hiring him in his 20's? Should a health insurance company be able to deny him coverage? These aren't easy questions. People are grappling with them right now, in 2013. I'm not sure we'll have the answers by the time Gattaca's easy, accurate genetic testing comes into existence. 

So pretty. *Swoon*

Gattaca brings up a lot of interesting and thought provoking questions. However, I find its commentary on discrimination to be a little bit hard to take seriously by the end of the movie. It gives a long story on why discrimination and prejudice is wrong, and then the writers show a few of their own prejudices. The Director gives himself up for the murder once it is clear that the launch cannot be stopped. Because he's old, his only dream was to see the launch happen. He doesn't care about dying in jail, or about living out a happy retirement. Because he's old, he doesn't really seem to care about his life at all. The writing reeks of ageism. And then we have Jerome. Poor, poor Jerome. After he helps Vince fulfill his dream, he has nothing left to live for, and he kills himself. After all, his legs don't work. What could he possibly have to live for? The flames he immolates himself in are superimposed with the rocket's takeoff. Dramatic music plays. It seems like the film agrees with Jerome killing himself. So Vince is able to overcome bad genes, but Jerome can't overcome paralysis? I know Jerome's failure is significant because he was genetically engineered to be the best of the best, but the whole thing still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. (Matt, who was watching the movie with me, spent that entire scene singing “I set fire, to myseeeeelf, sat and burned while you went to space” to the tune of Adele's Set Fire to the Rain. It didn't help my opinion of the movie very much. Another story, ect, ect)

He's okay looking I guess. Whatever, I'm not here to look at pretty people.

Gattca has, in theory, eliminated some types of prejudices and replaced them with others. Who your family is and the connections you have no longer matter. Now, you are judged only by your genes. It's different, but I don't know if it's more or less fair.

I lied. Seriously, look at this man's pretty pouty face.

(All pictures screenshot from Gattca.) 

Final Thoughts on Brave New World

I really loved the last few chapters of Brave New World because if you hadn't yet picked up on some aspects of this “utopia” they are really brought to light here. Chapter 16 is one of my favorite chapters in this novel. This is most likely due to the fact that I get angered by the concept of consumerism over beauty. (The beauty of literature, or art.)

Granted, I am not the most educated person when it comes to literature, but that does not mean I do not read great works by Shakespeare or Austen and others. They are beautiful pieces of art that can be related to modern times even though they written over a hundred years ago. The language is outdated, but the ideas, problems, behaviors all can be seen in society today -- they are even the basis of many plot lines of shows, movies, plays, and other novels! These historical novels have influenced so many aspects of our society that I cannot imagine reading and watching other things and NOT realizing that they have a relationship (in some way) to great works. And the fact that this society keeps them away because they are OLD an do not promote consumerism frustrates me to no end. Also, the citizens of the world state have infantile emotions and gratifications that would not allow them to appreciate great works of art. They would not be able to understand. How can a society take this away from people?! I understand they want stability, but emotions like love, anguish, heartbreak, happiness, etc are beautiful and develop a person. Why did they find this a fault in us? I believe it to be one of best qualities and what makes us human. These beings are just that, beings. They are not humans. They do not know what it means to be human nor should they deserve to be called human.

Chapter 18 also angers me. They want people to b happy and take pleasure or find amusement in the internal, personal anguish John is suffering through. They want to report on it and release feelies about it. It's absolutely disgusting. But then I feel that that is something we do today. We watch other people suffer and hurt themselves, but do not really help them. Why do we watch shows like Teen Mom? or 16 and Pregnant? TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES AND BE THANKFUL IT'S NOT US WHO HAS ALL THEIR PROBLEMS. This is a huge problem with society today. We like to see other people struggle, just to feel a little bit better about ourselves. EXACTLY like they are doing in the world state.

Knowing what I do and thinking about a life without the struggles I face in day to day seems horrifying. It would be interesting, but still horrifying. I am one of those people that always tries to have hope and be content or happy with everything I have, and I feel like I truly am. I don't want to live anywhere else. I don't want to be any one else. I want my family, friends, school, job, struggles, joy...everything. I don't know what the future may hold, but one thing I do know, is that I do not want to live in a world like world state.

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